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State Employees Seek Modest Pay Raise

In this 2017 stock image, Montana Department of Transportation workers clear the Beartooth Highway of snow.
Jackie Yamanaka
/
Yellowstone Public Radio

The House Appropriations Committee is expected to vote this week on a bill that would give a one-percent pay raise for state employees.

This bill hearing was notable in that state employees did not take a vacation day to pack the hallways and committee room.

“I hope that our presence in the hall as in past sessions has been noted and perhaps missed even a little bit,” said Rich Aarstad.

He said there’s not much to say about House Bill 13 other than it is a modest request knowing the state budget is tight this session.

“We understand that everybody’s going to tighten their belts up. We’re more than willing to do that. I just ask that you support House Bill 13 and support the state employees who do your bidding on behalf of serving your constituents,” Aarstad said.

No one spoke against the bill.

The Appropriations Committee asked the Department of Administration provide information to the members this week on how discretionary pay raises are handed out because of questions raised in a recent audit.

The Committee chair wanted that information before the panel votes on the state pay plan.